We spent Sunday cleaning and doing some early packing. Rewarded ourselves with coffee and a cupcake at l'Atelier des Gâteaux before heading over to Rita and Gerard's home for dinner. Rita and Gerard are the very hospitable owners of the apartment we usually rent in the Marais and we have learned much about Paris and Parisians from them. They have just returned from a month's holiday, and were kind enough to make time to see us. We had a wonderful night and were so very pleased to catch up with them.
Today we had a late start, beginning with brunch on Ile Saint-Louis. We let ourselves into the courtyard of number 10 just for one last look before we leave. Sigh...
Then a walk to the 5th arrondissement to find the Arènes de Lutèce - something I've been meaning to visit for years and just haven't. This site was a Roman amphitheatre constructed in the year 1 AD, which subsequently became a cemetery and was eventually filled in. It was rediscovered in the 1860s and a group called Société des Amis des Arènes, headed by, amongst others, Victor Hugo, fought for its preservation. It was established as a public square in 1896. Adjoining the Arènes is a square called Square Capitan, dedicated to Jean-Louis Capitan who continued excavation and restoration of the arena in the years leading to the end of World War 1. The Square, like other neighbourhood squares in Paris, is much loved and features a special planting by the mairie (municipality) of the 5th arrondissement. Just gorgeous!
And so our holiday draws to a close.
It has been a wonderfully relaxing time in Paris, exploring and enjoying a new neighbourhood. We have been spoilt by La Grande Epicerie at Le Bon Marché and it just won't be the same going back to Woolworths in Carlton. We have loved the quiet of this neighbourhood, dotted with tiny restaurants and shops, haunts of the residents...and, yet, only a short walk to the bustle of Saint-Germain or the lush expanse of Jardin du Luxembourg. The apartment has been super...light, airy and comfy...a real nest, perched on the 4th floor overlooking the street. Brent's trip is complete, having had duck confit for dinner last night...and, for me, the Parisian who said, "Bravo pour votre français," made my heart sing.
So, we return home, inspired as ever to continue our Parisian journey.
Paris, nous vous aimons...
2 comments:
Hi Sally & Brent, Great 'photos, really like the pavement message, perhaps by someone else who was feeling "triste" to be leaving. Love, L&G
Dope graffiti ;) Didn't know you dabbled in tagging.
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